It’s not the beginning of the road to the state championships, which is where every high school swimmer and diver wants to conclude his or her seasons.

Still, tonight’s Federal League finale between rivals Hoover and Jackson is a pretty big deal.

The meet at the Jackson’s Paul and Carol David YMCA promises to decide the league’s boys and girls champions, as the Vikings and Polar Bears both enter with unblemished 5-0 records.

While Jackson head coach Matt Ziders said nothing has really changed with the Polar Bears’ physical preparation this week, his swimmers certainly are approaching tonight with an increased level of anticipation.

“It’s more of a mental focus this week,” Ziders said. “We’re zoned in on this meet, even if we’re not really doing a lot of different things with our training. We’re making them realize it’s a big day, a big meet.

“I think they’re ready to go.”

Ziders already has sketched the meet out more than once in his head, looking for areas where the Polar Bears can grab a point here and there. That may not be all that important in the girls meet, where Jackson is looking to defend its title from last winter. However, Ziders envisions the boys competition being a possible cliffhanger.

“I feel very confident about the girls meet,” Ziders said. “North Canton has some top-notch swimmers but I feel that our depth is going to be able to prevail on the girls side.

“The boys meet, I believe, is going to be very, very close. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if it comes down to the last relay, the last couple races, with a touch-out here, a touch-out there deciding it.”

Chances are that some of close finishes that will ultimately decide the meet won’t be for first place. With points being awarded through five places, Ziders knows it’s the boys team that is able to pile up thirds, fourth or fifths that will put itself in great position.

“Those are really the most important the most important places, and that’s what the meet’s going to come down to ultimately,” Ziders said. “How does our depth match up with their depth? How are our third swimmers going to compete with their third swimmers, and our second with their second? It’s all going to be big.”

If Jackson’s boys are looking for any extra motivation, they need only look on the natatorium wall. Up there a banner proclaims 1994 as the last, and only, time the Bears captured a Federal League title.

“Those guys all want it bad,” Ziders said. “They want to leave their mark on the program. They look at the banners up here and they see 1994. They want to add 2014 to that list.”

Jackson’s girls championship last season was their first since 2006. That title came on the back end of a back-to-back run that began in 2005. The Polar Bears are trying to accomplish the same feat this season even after losing two-time state champion Chase Kinney from last year’s squad.

Despite that, Ziders said the girls have developed the kind of talented depth that is the envy of most teams.

“I’ve told the girls all year, and I truly believe it, that they’re a better team this year than they were last year,” Ziders said. “I really believe that. Depth-wise our top-end talent is very good with Biz (Graeff), Alex Pallotta, Victoria Addis and Kaitlyn Daiger.

“We’re so deep this year and a lot of key freshmen have come in and really helped out. We’re a stronger team top-to-bottom than we were last year. I think that will show (Friday night).”